From Alexandra on the BraveScopes Facebook Group:
Can you believe March is almost here?!!
Time for new prompts. I hope these will be inspiring and start some discussions on Periscope and here!
It is feeling like a breath of fresh spring air
BraveScopes is a safe space to share and discuss Periscope broadcasts plus learn more about the Brave Writer Lifestyle! Run by Julie and the Brave Writer team.
Today’s writing prompt is all about hugs. Do you initiate hugs or wait for others to hug you? What are your thoughts on “big bear hugs”? Would you ever wear a sign that read, “Free hugs”? Why or why not?
New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.
A Brave Writer mom asked on BraveScopes:
How you go about explaining natural learning and alternative education to your children to help them navigate their own understanding of learning in light of our culture’s expectations.
Talk about how they know and feel good about their days. One thing I did do with my kids was to narrate spontaneously when I saw some experience turn into a quantifiable learning experience. So I might say, “It’s amazing how much you are learning about World War 2 these days! Tanks, battles, and that movie about the Bridge on the River Kwai! I’m going to jot that down on the calendar to share with X at the end of the year.” (We presented a portfolio to a year-end evaluator in Ohio.)
If Jacob asked “Did we do school today?” I would go back over the elements of learning: “I read to you, you practiced math, we built a medieval fort out of paper towel tubes, and we had that great conversation about the book you read.”
You can explain the philosophy of education to your kids too:
The reason you are at home and not in school is because brain research has shown that kids learn more when they are immersed in their interests and work at their own pace. We have more time to do both at home.
Like that. But keep it short. Don’t go into a big treatise on what home education is and don’t run down schools. Just focus on the benefits of home.
Poetry tea has quickly become one of our cherished home school times!
Our poetry tea in the rose garden has been our favorite so far. My mom was quick to join in the fun when I shared the vision of Poetry Tea Times. There is a gem of a rose garden blocks from my parents house. In late September and early October, the roses are in bloom.
My mom met us at the garden with a beautiful tea party on a quilt. We enjoyed tea and goodies, and shared a couple of poems about flowers. The kids then explored all the different roses, and chose a few of their favorites for me to take a picture of.
They made up a pretend game, and were enjoying the beautiful day, and the company of each other. I was even able to have a few moments of complete conversation with my mom!
Shannon
The stop and start stage of writing. Students show bursts of growth, pencil management, keyboarding skills, some spelling triumphs mixed with obvious errors, variable punctuation, moments of brilliance, and paragraphs of insipidity. Pride in successful writing experiences alternate with struggle.
Your child:
In other words, one day your child gets a detailed story to paper. The next week, she complains that she hates writing. This is often seen in eleven and twelve year olds but don’t be governed by age range. Focus instead on the description and match it to your individual child.
1) Listen to the Faltering Ownership podcast.
2) See Faltering Ownership in action
3) Check out how other homeschoolers implement the Brave Writer program
Fifth Grade Creative Writing (Look, We’re Learning)
A Review of Brave Writer’s Faltering Ownership (Life on a Canadian Island)
4) Consider Brave Writer products and online classes for additional help such as our Faltering Ownership Home Study Course:
A Year-Long Language Arts Plan!
11-12 year olds (age range is approximate)
Developmentally appropriate projects.
Step-by-step instructions.
A weekly and monthly plan.
The Writer’s Jungle provides you with the essential tools that enable you to be an effective writing coach. Faltering Ownership is the product that gives you a practical routine (think, schedule ala Brave Writer).
Download a FREE sample on our product page.
